X s shoe protecting and handling device



Dec. 11, 1928. 1,694,853

E. C. HES S SHOE PROTECTING AND HANDLING DEVICE Filed May 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l DCI ATTORNEY E. C- HESS,

SHOE PROTECTING AND HANDLING DEVICE Filed May 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOIRNEY Qli Patented Dec. 11, 1%28.

SHOE PRGTECIIHG AND Application filed May This invention relates to shoe protecting devices and has for an object the provision of a device which will protect shoes by holding them in proper shape and by maintaining them in an upright position, so that their finish will not become marred or soiled by contact with the floor of a closet, or other place of storage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above character, which in addition to protecting shoes, pro vides means for arranging the shoes in pairs and for conveniently handling them when so arranged. This is especially advantageous when packing ones wardrobe, as the desired shoes may be selected and readily handled without danger of mixing the pairs. Another object of the invention is the provision of a device-of the above character which may be adjusted for use with shoes of diiferent sizes and may be compactly folded for storage or shipment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an article which includes the above and other advantageous features, and which in addition may be cheaply manufactured and sold, or used as an advertising medium. t

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features anddetails of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a shoe protecting and handling device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a slightly different form of the invention.

Figure 3 is' a side elevation.

Figure 1 is a section on the line- 1% of Figure 3.

Figure 5- is a section Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a slightly difon the line 55 of ferent. form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a side view of theform shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Figure9.

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1. we 'rj i ASSIGNQR OF ONE-HALF TO MARYLAND.

HANDLING DEVICE.

1923. Serial No. 280,889.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the form of the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a pair of shoe trees 12. These trees may be made of any suitable material and they each comprise a shank 13. a toe member 14 and a heel member 15. The shanks 13 are flexible and are connected by a bridge member 16 which, in the form of the invention shown in Figure 1, has its opposite ends rigid with the shanks 13 so that the trees will be held in spaced parallel relation.

The bridge 16 is preferably arched after the manner shown in Figures 4: and 8 of the drawings. with the ends of the bridge lying flat upon the shanks 18 and being soldered or otherwise permanently connected with the shanks.

The opposite longitudinal edges of the bridge are provided with inturned flanges 17 and these flanges are spaced from the ad- .jacent upper face of the bridge and define grooves for receiving advertising cards or slips. In this way. the device may be used an advertising medium for a dealer or merchant. Of course, the advertising matter may be directly stamped in the bridge, as the latter is preferably formed of thin sheet metal. In addition to providing grooves. the flanges 17 also act to reinforce the bridge and hold the latter in proper shape, and as the bridge in addition to connecting the trees, also serves as a convenient means for handling the trees, the flanges 17 will provide rounded edges and will thus act to protect the person handling the device.

The shanks 13 are preferably constructed of resilient flat metal strips and have their opposite ends secured to the toe and heel members 14 ano 15. Various means may be employed for this purpose. For example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. the toe member 1 is provided with inwardly extending clamping lugs 18 which are struck from the toe members and which enter slots 19 provided in the ends of the shanks 12, the extremities of the lugs extending in opposite directions and being bent into clamping engagement with the shanks.

As shown, the toe and heel members 14: and 15 may also be made of sheet metal and their edges turned to provide beadsQO.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that a pair of shoes arranged upon the trees will restupon their soles so that the finish of the uppers will not become soiled or marred through contact with the floor of a closet or other surface. This is especially valuable in light colored shoes. In addition, a number Off shoes may be arranged in pairs and the pairs conveniently handled without danger of separation. In addition. the bridge 16 provides means for preventing the separation oi a pair of shoe trees and convenient "means for handling the trees both when separated from and arranged within a pair of shoes. Further, the bridge provides means whereby a pair of shoes may be supported from a hook or the like, if desired.

In Figures 2 to 5 of the drawings, the shanks 13 or": the trees are of sectional formation, each toe and heel member 1 1- and 15 respectively having secured thereto a shank section 21 which are formed of flexible metal strips and are arranged in overlapping relation.

The bridge 16 which connects the trees is preferably formed or sheet metal and is provided with inturned flanges 17 after the manner of the bridge previously described. Extending from opposite ends of the bridge are alternately arranged upper and lower fingers 22 and 23 respectively whose outer ends are connected as shown at 2%. These fingers are preferably formed by providing extensions at each end of the bridge and slitting these extensions transversely, for a portion of their widths and bending the material between the slits in opposite directions. The overlapped ends of the shank sections 21 are slidingly received between the lingers 22 and 20 as shown in Figures 2 to 5 of the drawings so that the toe and heel members of the trees may be relatively adjusted in conformity with the size 01 the shoes with which the device is used. If desired, the shank sections may be graduated as shown at 25 so that adjustment may be made in accordance with the size 01' the shoes.

lVhen the trees are placed in position within a. pair of shoes, the shanks are arched and are placed under tension, and while the shank sections 21 are readily slidable when straight, the arching and tensioning of these shank sections will provide a binding action between the overlapped portions of the sections and the'i-nner face or the arms 22 and 23, so that the trees will be held in adjusted position.

In Figures (3 to 8 of the drawings, the shanks of the trees are formed in sections 21 as in Figures 2 to 5. The bridge 16 which connects the trees is ol sectional. Formation with the adjacent ends of the sections hingedly connected as shown at 26. Sleeves 27 are provided at opposite ends of the bridge 16' which slidingly receive the'overlapped ends of the sections 21 of the shanks so that "frictional engagement will be provided between the shanksections and sleeves 27 when the shanks of the trees are flexed. The bridge 16 is provided with sectional flanges 17 along its pposite edges so as to receive advertising cards or slips.

In the form of the iiwention just decribed, the trees may be adjusted in accordance with the size 0' a pair of shoes, and when not in use, the t s may be il olded relatively, and if desired the toe and heel members of each tree may be moved relatively inward so that the device will be compactly folded to occupy a minimum storage space. The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having described the invention what is claimed is:

1. In combination, a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member and a shank connecting said members, a relatively wide transversely flat bridge having its opposite ends connected with the shanks, V

and combined reinforcing and card retaining flanges extending along opposite edges of the bridge. j

2. In combination, a pair ofshoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member and a shank connecting said members, and an arched bridge disposed at right angles to the lengths of the shanks and having its opposite ends connected with said shanks and defining a combined connecting member and handle.

cluded in the tree connecting means to frictionally hold the toe and heel member connecting means in position.

4. In combination, a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member and a heel memher, a shank section carried by each member, said shank sections being arranged to permit of relative adjustment of the toe and heel members of each tree, means connecting the trees, and means included in the tree connecting means to hold the toe and heel members in adjusted position.

5. In combination, a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member, a flexible shank section carried by each member, said sections being arranged to permit of relative adjustment of the heel and toe members of each tree,means connecting the trees, and means included in the tree connecting means to hold the toe and heel members in adjusted position when the shank sections are flexed.

6. In combination, a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member, a flexible shank section carried by each memher, said sections being arranged to permit of relative adjustment of the heel and toe members of each tree, means connecting the trees, and means included in the tree connecting means to frictionally hold the toe and heel members in adjusted position When the shank sections are flexed.

7. In combination, a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member, a flexible shank section carried by each member, said section being arranged to permit of relative adjustment of the heel and toe mem bers of each tree, a tree connecting member,

and means at the ends of the tree connecting member to slidingly receive the ends of the shank sections and hold the toe and heel members in adjusted position.

8. In combination, a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member andashank connecting said members, and a foldable bridge having its opposite ends connected With said shanks.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a combined shoe protecting and handling device comprising a pair of shoe trees arranged in spaced parallel relation, and a bridge connected to the shanks of said trees.

10. In combination a pair of shoe trees each including a toe member, a heel member and a flexible shank, a tree connecting member, and means included in the tree connecting member to slidably receive the shanks.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDWARD C. HESS. 

